Interviews are highly charged situations. Given this, it’s natural to feel nervous. Although effective interview skills are essential, a touch of nervousness is probably a good thing. It tells both you and your potential employer that you are interested enough in the job to step slightly outside your comfort zone in its pursuit.

However, nerves don’t have to be all-consuming. There are ways to manage interview nerves, the biggest one being to take the time to prepare thoroughly.

No matter how hard you prepare there is no certainty that you will land the job in question. But you can be almost guaranteed that if you don’t do your homework then you will count yourself out of the running very quickly.

Research the company and the position before the interview. Find out as much as you can about their products, services, philosophy and competitors. In regards to the job vacancy, it’s a good idea to either grill your recruiter for as much information as possible, or to speak with your university lecturers or anyone who may have had exposure to your industry and plumb their knowledge.

Once you’re clear on what the company will be looking for, practice how you would like to present yourself. Imagine being asked certain questions and run through – aloud – how you would respond. Actually walking yourself through the process is a sure way to still your nerves as there will be fewer surprises for you on the interview day.

Remaining focused during the process is one of the most important interview skills. If you start to second-guess your interviewer or worry about correct job interview answers, you are bound to unseat yourself. Training your mind on the questions at hand will still you and force you to slow down in order to answer properly. This in itself is a good way to calm your breathing and heart rate.